CVE-2017-1535 in Cognos Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM X-Force ID: 130677.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
IBM Cognos Analytics version 11.0 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security weakness in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web interface, potentially compromising the integrity of the application and user sessions. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's rendering pipeline, allowing attacker-controlled data to be executed as client-side scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a pathway for credential theft and session hijacking attacks. When authenticated users interact with the vulnerable application, they may unknowingly execute malicious JavaScript code that can capture session cookies, form data, or other sensitive information transmitted within the trusted session. This weakness directly enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the trusted context of the application, making it difficult for users to detect malicious activity and allowing attackers to bypass traditional security controls.
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input parameters or payloads that are then rendered in the web interface without proper sanitization. The IBM X-Force ID 130677 indicates the specific nature of this weakness and its potential impact within the IBM ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in input handling and output encoding, which are fundamental requirements in secure web application development. Organizations using IBM Cognos Analytics 11.0 are at risk of having their authentication mechanisms compromised, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to business intelligence data and analytical capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by IBM to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and following secure coding guidelines that prevent XSS attacks through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious web behavior and session management best practices remains crucial in reducing the attack surface for such vulnerabilities.